PITTSBURG – The Pittsburg State University volleyball team will hit the road for a pair of matches to open MIAA play this weekend.

The Gorillas will travel to Fort Smith, Ark., Friday (Sept. 27) to battle MIAA newcomer Arkansas-Fort Smith at 6 p.m. (CDT). Pitt State will then trek on to Edmond, Okla., for a battle against unbeaten Central Oklahoma Saturday (Sept. 28) at 2 p.m.
 
The Gorilla Scoop

• Jen Gomez is in her ninth season leading the Gorillas. She has a 97-139 overall record at PSU while leading the program into four of the last five MIAA Tournaments.
• Kennedy Shelstead is in her first season on the sidelines at Pittsburg State as an assistant coach, with graduate assistant Hannah Delor beginning her second season helping mentor the Gorillas.
• Pitt State is 5-5 on the young season. The Gorillas posted a 1-1 mark at the PSU Regional Challenge last weekend. Pitt State opened the season with a 3-1 record in its home Gorilla Classic Sept. 6-7, and followed with a 1-3 showing down in Denton, Texas at the Denton Volleyfest hosted by Texas Woman's University.
• Statistical leaders for the season are Vix Vilott with 129.5 points (3.81 per set) and 109 kills (3.21 per set); Jesa Wallace with 208 assists (7.70 per set); Josie McCroskey with 171 digs (5.03 per set); with Anna Dean owning the team lead with 35 total blocks (1.03 per set).

The Opposition

• Arkansas-Fort Smith is 8-3 on the season to date. Statistical leaders are Nyia Anderson with 167.0 points (3.80 per set) and 147 kills (3.34 per set); Scarlette Young with 283 assists (6.58 per set) and 172 digs (3.91 per set); and Hannah Watkins leads the team 53 total blocks (1.23 per set).

 

• Central Oklahoma is 13-0 heading into the weekend. The Bronchos are ranked No. 13 in the most recent AVCA NCAA Division II Top 25 poll. Statistical leaders are Jenna Karp with 160.0 points (4.32 per set) and 33 total blocks (0.89 per set); Addison Wimmer leads the team with 133 kills (3.17 per set); Lindsey Houran leads the team with 481 assists (11.19 per set); and Katie Le has a team leading 210 digs (4.77 per set).